MMDA clears Baclaran Church area for today's Marian feast

MANILA, Philippines - Thousands of devotees who will flock to Baclaran Church in Parañaque City today have more reason to celebrate the feast of Mother of Perpetual Help as illegal sidewalk vendors blocking the church’s entrance and exit points have been cleared.

The one-month clearing drive of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the city government decongested Redemptorist Road, which had been occupied by ambulant vendors; and Quirino Avenue, which had been converted into a terminal for illegally parked public utility vehicles.

Churchgoer Rosita Saes, 65, told The STAR that she was so elated that “abusive” vendors no longer block the church.

Saes, a devotee of the Perpetual Help Mother for five years, said the clearing operation has been a major help especially for today, when believers are expected to troop to the church.

“It’s a relief for us because we can easily see the church’s entrance, unlike before. I no longer have to worry about vendors who will get angry if I bump (against) their goods,” Saes said, adding although vendors are pitiful, some of them are “abusive.”

A church security guard, who requested anonymity, also praised the removal of illegal vendors.

“This is not the place for them,” the guard told The STAR. “The vendors occupy the middle of the roads, making it difficult for us to ensure a smooth traffic flow in the church.”

The guard also called on the authorities not to be complacent as he expressed concern that the vendors might take advantage of today’s celebration.

“The police are patrolling in the area, but they have to remember that these are ambulant vendors. I hope they can maintain this order,” he said.

In a separate text message to The STAR, Senior Superintendent Alfredo Valdez assured that they would deploy sufficient troops today, including special weapons and tactics (SWAT) police officers. He also noted that since the removal of vendors, there had been a significant drop in thefts and robberies in the area.

Aside from the clearing operation, the MMDA has also installed new sidewalk railings “to give pedestrians clear walk-through paths” and thwart hawkers from putting up their movable stalls again.

Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. lauded the development. “We have been planning to do this for quite a while with the goal of converting this portion of Baclaran by developing it into an eco-tourism zone and a shoppers’ haven,” he said.

Baclaran church is home to thousands of Mother of Perpetual Help devotees who troop to the church particularly on Wednesdays. It is also considered as the city’s main business hub.